Publisher's Summary

In combat, men measure up. Or don't. There are no second chances.
In this vivid account of the U.S. Army's legendary 10th Mountain Division's heroic stand in the mountains of Afghanistan, Captain Sean Parnell shares an action-packed and highly emotional true story of triumph, tragedy, and the extraordinary bonds forged in battle.
At 24 years of age, U.S. Army Ranger Sean Parnell was named commander of a forty-man elite infantry platoon - a unit that came to be known as the Outlaws - and was tasked with rooting out Pakistan-based insurgents from a mountain valley along Afghanistan's eastern frontier. Parnell and his men assumed they would be facing a ragtag bunch of civilians, but in May 2006 what started out as a routine patrol through the lower mountains of the Hindu Kush became a brutal ambush. Barely surviving the attack, Parnell's men now realized that they faced the most professional and seasoned force of light infantry the U.S. Army had encountered since the end of World War II.
What followed was 16 months of close combat, over the course of which the platoon became Parnell's family: from Staff Sergeant Greg Greeson, the wise, chain-smoking veteran who never lost his cool; to Specialist Robert Pinholt, a buttoned-down conservative with the heart of a warrior and the mind of an economist; to Staff Sergeant Phil Baldwin, the platoon's voice of calm and reason, a man who sacrificed everything following the events of 9/11 - career, home, financial stability - to serve his country. But the cost of battle was high for these men: Over 80 percent were wounded in action, putting their casualty rate among the highest since Gettysburg, and not all of them made it home.
A searing and unforgettable story of friendship in battle, Outlaw Platoon brings to life the intensity and raw emotion of those 16 months, showing how the fight reshaped the lives of Parnell and his men and how the love and faith they found in one another ultimately kept them alive. This audiobook is enhanced with a downloadable PDF containing photographs from the hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

Great book...Everyone should listen to this book!!

I want to start off by saying that I have several hundred audio books and have enjoyed most and loved some. I always make sure to rate books that I listen to using the star system, however I have never sat down and composed a full review. This book moved me in ways that I find hard to express. There were times in this book that I was incredibly angry, times when I was happy for the guys of Outlaw Platoon, and times that caused me to tear up. War brings out the best and worst of humanity, it shows us what kind of people that we share the planet with. This book was by far the best audio book that I have ever listened to. I have to mention that there are some parts of the book that I found to be very disturbing, although the very nature of war has a way of being very disturbing at times. The lengths that the enemy will go to to inflict pain into coalition forces is savage. The camaraderie and brotherhood of Outlaw Platoon is absolutely amazing. I do not have the time to review books like I should, but this book moved me in so many ways that I though that it was important to do so. This may sound strange to some but this book made me wonder why I did not enlist to serve our country, I am still young enough to do so and it is always in the back of my mind. Again I cannot stress enough that everyone should listen or read this book, this book really deserves a sixth star rather than just five. I hope this review is helpful to those considering this book. Brad Thor gives this book a great review over on Amazon.com and is worth reading. Also be sure to download the companion to this book, it includes a map that makes it easier to understand the area that Outlaw Platoon patrolled.

Do Americans Deserve Such Heroes?

Would you listen to Outlaw Platoon again? Why?

Yes. Great narrative arch, character development. Lt. Parnell starts out gung ho but insecure, develops into mature veteran. The same happens with most of the platoon. They are excited like kids winning a football game after their first battle, but as the months drag and the casualties mount they became seasoned professionals. There is a lot of suffering and loss but they keep in the fight. These men are in a direct line from those who fought with Washington, in the Civil War, and who won WWII, and the men who fought the thankless Viet Nam War. It's inspiring and poignant.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Outlaw Platoon?

When the Army finally gets serious and wipes out about 30 of the enemy in a ground attack supported by AC-130's, Apaches, and a B1 bomber.

What does Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Very good at depicting Lt. Parnell going from a brand new lieutenant to a tired but dedicated veteran, and voices of the other men in the platoon.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

How hardened and professional the enemy are, and the duplicity of the Pakistanis.

Any additional comments?

For anyone who enjoys reading about small unit combat and the bravery of American soldiers and Marines, this is a great book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful

5 out of 5 stars
By
Paul C
on
09-01-17

Excellent Listen

This is the first Army genre Audiobook I've listened in a while and what a listen it was. The narrator done this book justice and kept the flow of the book perfectly running without me feeling bored as it was so action packed.

I feel so sorry for some if not all the character with what they went through the one part that really got to me was the male bitch ( you'll understand when you get to the part ) I was angry and devastated.

These guys as well as other serving members of the armed forces have done their country proud and should hold their heads up high. Hopefully all the people involved got help once their tour was over and weren't screwed over like most service members when they return with injuries or PTSD.

I'd highly recommend this Audiobook and I'll definitely listen to this one more than once.

Emotional rollercoaster

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful

5 out of 5 stars
By
Charles
on
03-02-15

Excellent

A compelling story about men in extreme situations. What struck me continually was that this was Sean's recollections of real life, not a story where the outcomes could be shaped to the writers desire. Well written and well presented.

Moving

I’ve read and listed to numeral war stories, but none moved me like this. The narration is amazing and makes it feel like you are right there. The story is intense, funny and extremely inspiring. You get so attached to the men in the platoon that you feel every win and lose with them. I highly recommend this to anyone, as you will feel it.